Craig Groseclose

4/22/1960 — 7/4/2025

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Pastor Craig Virgil Groseclose, 65, of Clarkston, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Craig was born April 22, 1960, in Lewiston, to Virgil A. and Ada Lou (Sampson) Groseclose. Craig spent his childhood exploring the canyon of his family homeplace near Spalding. Craig graduated from Lapwai High School and went on to earn a degree from Pacific Lutheran University. After college, he returned to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley to work and help on the family ranch. Upon returning home, he renewed his lifelong commitment to Trinity Lutheran Church. Several years later, upon Loralee Ohrtman’s return from graduate school, she and Craig became friends. After more than a year of “not dating,” Craig finally put the horse before the cart and proposed. They were married in 2001.

After wrestling with the call to ministry, he headed to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., where he earned his Master of Divinity in 2004.

Loralee left her job at Luther College and Craig followed her to Oklahoma where she taught at Oklahoma State University. While on that journey, they found their beloved sheltie, Sima, who was Craig’s work partner and companion for nearly 17 years. “Pastor G” served Shared Ministry of North Central Oklahoma in Enid, Marshall and Perry for nine years.

In 2013, Pastor Craig began serving Cameron Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kendrick. He worked alongside congregational members for 11 years before retiring.

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Craig’s joys in life were his eight nieces and nephews, the youth of the churches he served, his numerous “girlfriends” under the age of four and over the age of 80, cooking for Loralee, giving unique gifts to friends and family, and keeping QVC and HSN from bankruptcy.

Craig is survived by his wife, Loralee Ohrtman, who inherited all of his Dallas Cowboys memorabilia and kitchen gadgets, including dozens of frying pans and too many air fryers. His numerous surviving beloved cousins, nieces and nephews celebrate his humor and kindness.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister Diane Lou.

Loralee is grateful to the nieces and nephews who cared for Uncle Craig, making it possible for him to remain at home with her and his precious Sima.

Services will be held Tuesday, July 22, at Cameron Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 12633 Cameron Road, Kendrick. Family and friends are invited to gather for the 9 a.m. interment at Cameron Cemetery. The memorial service follows at 10 a.m. at the church. Clergy are invited to wear their seasonal stole. The family suggests memorials to Cameron Emmanuel Lutheran Church or an animal rescue of your choice.

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